Stay Compliant with Confidence: MPI Now Recognises Cloth Swab Sampling for E. coli Top 7 STEC Testing

MicroTally  & New Cloth Sampling Regulations

From 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officially recognised cloth swab sampling as a validated method under the Animal Products Notice: Sampling Regimes for Monitoring. This is a significant regulatory update that simplifies compliance for the red meat processing industry—especially in the monitoring of E. coli Top 7 STEC under the National Microbiological Database (NMD) programme.

What This Means for New Zealand Meat Processors

This new recognition allows meat processors across New Zealand to adopt MicroTally—a non-destructive cloth sampling method that delivers exceptional sensitivity and ease of use compared to traditional N60 sampling.

Why Choose MicroTally?

✅ Compliant with MPI Regulations (2025)
✅ Aligned with FSIS (USDA) Guidelines
✅ More Cost-Effective & Less Labour-Intensive than N60
✅ Non-Destructive to Product Integrity
✅ Highly Accurate Detection of E. coli Top 7 STECs

Whether you’re validating hygiene protocols or maintaining export eligibility, MicroTally provides lab-grade precision in a simplified, easy-to-integrate format.

Designed to Streamline Your RMP Compliance

MicroTally’s cloth swab system is quickly becoming the preferred method for microbial monitoring in New Zealand’s red meat sector. As a trusted distributor, InterMed is proud to help you stay ahead of regulatory changes and support your Risk Management Programme (RMP) workflows.

If you’re ready to align with the latest MPI requirements, our technical team can guide you through integrating MicroTally into your existing sampling regime.

Start Simplifying Your Sampling

Stay compliant, reduce labour, and protect your product quality, all while meeting the latest MPI regulations.

FAQs About Cloth Swab Sampling & MPI Regulations

Q: What’s changed in the MPI regulations?
A: As of 1 July 2025, cloth swabbing is now an officially recognised sampling method for microbial testing, including E. coli Top 7 STECs, under MPI’s Animal Products Notice.

Q: What are the benefits of cloth swab sampling?
A: Cloth swab sampling offers a non-destructive, efficient approach to microbial testing. It’s recognised for its high sensitivity, ease of use, and suitability for routine compliance within regulated programmes like the NMD.

Q: Does MicroTally meet export standards?
A: Yes. MicroTally follows both MPI guidelines and the FSIS standards used in the United States, supporting both domestic and export-ready meat processing workflows.